Iran Election : London Protest : Social Media

I just met this group of young Iranians and supporters on Waterloo Bridge. They’re campaigning on the recent Iranian voting scandal and will be protesting in London outside the Iranian embassy this Saturday as part of the http://www.whereismyvote.org/ global day of action on July 25th from 1-4pm.

“The Global Day of Action is not affiliated with any partisan political agenda and is aimed at securing the internationally recognized rights of the Iranian people”

Interesting to see local groups getting active and handing out flyers in such a positive and friendly way, I think it really works well. I’d say that I’m far more likely to go along to something if asked in person rather than tweeted at, emailed or facebook-messaged. Social media is great, but sometimes having a chat is what’s really the motivator.

As it is, I’m off on holiday from tomorrow so can’t be there, so went to the website to find out more about what I could do online instead. Joining a Facebook group is not as good as turning up by any means, but its a way of showing support and keeping in touch with the cause, and other opportunities to act in real life. 

Aha! So that might be what social media is for….?

—- Newsflash! —-In ‘Other Inspiring Iranians I’ve met on Waterloo Bridge’, see my Ahmad Foroughi post from the time of the Obama Election – an awesome photo, and a sweet piece of social history!

Obama McCain : The world is watching… and participating!

Ahmad Foroughi : Iranian Obama Campaigner

 

I love this picture of Ahmad Foroughi standing on Waterloo bridge. I met him a few weeks ago when I stopped to talk as I was curious to know what was motivating him to stand there, giving up his time on a windy Saturday afternoon.  He was wearing a cool T-shirt and carrying a sign that said ”We’re searching for Americans! Can you help? Are YOU American?”

I assumed that he himself was a US citizen – enthused by Obama’s message of change – trying to spread the zeal and get others to vote Democrat too on November 4th. I was off the mark – he is in fact Iranian by birth- and unhappy with the US’s current foreign policy around terrorism and extremism. He himself is unable to cast a vote in the US election, so gave up his Saturday afternoon to stand on Waterloo bridge trying to find any American who hadn’t registered in the hope that it’ll help Obama win tomorrow.

I asked him why he was so passionate in wanting Obama to win – he went on to discuss his family and roots in Iran and the impact of US foreign policy in previous years and what it might be the future. He then went on to tell me in a matter of fact way: ”Its time for a real change and I believe Obama can do this.”

The world is not only watching this election – they want to be part of it in whatever way they are able to, and its not just happening online, there are people like Ahmad willing to give up more than a mouseclick moment to the campaign. Inspired by politics, inspired by a politician, belief in the possibility of real change… write it off as  Obamamania if you like – but the passion and interest in participating has to be good for people’s rights and for generating the demand for real democratic process and real opportunities for people to influence power across the world.

I’d like to see this level of enthusiasm in the UK election next time around…

Pangea day, spritzers and a chicken drumstick

Well – I made it along to Pangea day in the end. When I say in the end, I mean that I got round to it after a fashion, because when the weather is glorious and you begin barbecuing then its mighty difficult to break off and go to some event perceived as being ‘worthy’.

Exciting though the concept is; once indelicately armed with a chicken drumstick and a white wine spritzer, it became rather difficult to get up the enthusiasm to go into town and watch ‘meaningful’ stuff.

“For god’s sake! I work during the week don’t I? I deserve a rest at the weekend without soul-searching and trying to understand other cultures and perspectives through a series of specially commissioned films…. [waves drumstick for emphasis] … don’t I?”

Well- my inner goodwill won over spritzer-induced-evil and I made it up to Somerset house in time to see some of the films and to experience the live broadcast across the globe, and ‘m very glad I did make it out of the comfort zone and onto the cobblestones of Somerset House.

I’ve said before – I like the idea of Pangea day – bringing different perspectives forward through human stories that all sides can understand, and making the whole thing into a global event. Marvellous. And it was pretty good – but the main problem was really that…

The event finished. After going through the journeys and making connections with new ideas and points of view through film, you were kind of left hanging there asking… what next?

“Log on to the website” just isn’t enough to sustain something more than a one-off emotional connection.

Let’s see what develops next year when these initial foundations can be built upon…

Mayoral reactions : Election shocker – People care!

I couldn’t resist picking up on a few of the reactions to the Mayoral election results. It’s refreshing to see this democratic exercise has actually made people feel passionately about politics!

Here are some of my favourites:

• A Henley-on-Thames view can be read here. Ending on the comment: “Whether (in spite of his goodwill and determination) Boris will really be enough to reduce the number of young black men being shot in London remains to be seen.”
• ‘Have we elected the snorkmaiden?’ Find out here as JonNagl points out – ‘he’s the kind of candidate Nathan Barley would vote for isn’t he?’
• A Lib Dem standpoint from James Graham of quaequam blog can be read in the Guardian’s Comment is Free
• David Thompson’s round up of comments worth a look, including an interesting quote from Vivienne  Westwood saying the results “expose democracy as a sham. Especially if people don’t vote for Ken.” Which does seem to indicate a delightful misunderstanding of the entire democratic system.
• An alternative, green viewpoint from philobiblon
• ‘What a disgrace!’ – an angry reaction against Boris’ racist comments from Charcol Ink
• ‘Bertie Wooster elected!’ runs the headline on John Naughton’s blog. He also makes the point that ”Labour has been in power so long that it’s become boring. The man on the Clapham omnibus thinks it’s time for a change. It’s nothing to do with a belief that Cameron & Co are wonderful, or even competent.”
• A totally different mini-insight into the election observers – backroom bods behind the headlines.
• A brief thank you to Ken from Miranda Grell.
• News Post India’s view on Boris’ win, the successes of the BNP and the acheivements of Ken

 

Sh!… Sex and the city of London

This week I went along to the sixteenth birthday celebrations for one of London’s lesser known empowerment institutions - Sh! – the erotic emporium for women based on Hoxton Square.

The party marked the acheivements of the business not only in terms of its growth as a shop, manufacturer and trend-setter but as a resource and safe community for women to learn about and experience better sex.

In those 16 eventful years Sh! has been a truly pioneering place - first to introduce the now world famous Jessica Rabbit to its shelves (see Sex and the City), and now working with over 20 different NHS trusts to help women with sexual dysfunction. The Sh! philosophy is to provide friendly, clear and informed advice to those who want to know more, and to do this in a safe, sexy and comfortable environment…with a lovely cup of tea!

All in all, a very personal empowerment experience!